Bainum oversaw the completion of the merger of two Arkansas banks his father bought about 20 years ago and is now the chief executive of the new Diamond Bank.

"It takes two small community banks, and now we're the 27th-largest bank in Arkansas and we're a $350 million bank, which is small by some standards, but for community banks that's rather large," he said.

He said that there are 11 locations from Hope to Hot Springs.

The bank merger has kept Bainum in Arkansas for a while now, but he said the plan is for him and his wife, Jennifer, to come back to Hawaii possibly within the next nine months to a year.

The former councilman and lawmaker said that if he decides to run again, he is leaning toward seeking congressional office, although he is weighing all options, including a race for governor.

"Should I re-enter the political world, I'll be a smarter politician, more sensitive to a broader range of viewpoints," Bainum said.

Ever wonder what happened to a person, event or issue that has been in the news? We'll find out for you if you e-mail us at cityeditors@starbulletin.com, call us at 529-4747 or write 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana, Honolulu, HI 96813. "What Ever Happened to ..." runs Saturdays.